51 Series · SOC 51-9082
Medical Appliance Technicians Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $48,030
- Median / year
- $75,740
- Top 10% earn
- +3.7%
- Growth '23–'33
- 11,280
- US workers
Medical Appliance Technicians earn a median of $48,030 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $48,030, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $36,510 (10th percentile) to $75,740 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 11,280 US workers. Arizona pays the most ($72,760), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Medical Appliance Technicians earn a median of $48,030, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 28% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #50 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 3.7% by 2033.
- $48,030
- Median annual wage
- Top 72%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #50 of 105
- in Production
- 2.1×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Arizona at $72,760. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Medical Appliance Technicians (SOC 51-9082) pays a national median of $48,030 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $36,510 at the 10th percentile to $75,740 at the 90th, with a mean of $52,730 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 11,280 Americans work in this occupation across 41 reporting states and 53 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +3.7% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,500 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Arizona pays the highest state median at $72,760, which is +51% above the national figure. The top metro is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ at $81,600 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$48,030
per year
Median Hourly
$23.09/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$52,730
average
Employment
11,280
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Medical Appliance Technicians pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$48,030 Bottom 28% higher than 28% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Medical Appliance Technicians; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Medical Appliance Technicians sits on the slower-growing side at +3.7% growth and $48,030 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+3.7%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
1,500
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
3.5/100K
Injury Rate
3.2/100
Danger Index
14.6/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Medical Appliance Technicians roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
- ▸ Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
- ▸ Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
- ▸ Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
- ▸ Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
- ▸ Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
- ▸ Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
- ▸ Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.
- ▸ Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
- ▸ Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$36,510
25th Percentile
$42,210
Median
$48,030
75th Percentile
$60,580
90th Percentile
$75,740
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 41 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $72,760 | +51% above national |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $60,920 | +27% above national |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $59,810 | +25% above national |
| 4 | Colorado | $59,560 | +24% above national |
| 5 | Virginia | $56,260 | +17% above national |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $54,980 | +14% above national |
| 7 | Nebraska | $54,770 | +14% above national |
| 8 | North Carolina | $54,650 | +14% above national |
| 9 | Connecticut | $54,430 | +13% above national |
| 10 | Minnesota | $53,750 | +12% above national |
| 11 | South Dakota | $52,950 | +10% above national |
| 12 | New Jersey | $52,400 | +9% above national |
| 13 | Iowa | $51,790 | +8% above national |
| 14 | California | $51,530 | +7% above national |
| 15 | Louisiana | $50,770 | +6% above national |
| 16 | Oklahoma | $49,870 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Michigan | $49,140 | +2% above national |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $49,100 | +2% above national |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $48,890 | +2% above national |
| 20 | New York | $48,080 | same as national |
| 21 | Washington | $48,030 | same as national |
| 22 | Idaho | $48,020 | same as national |
| 23 | Maine | $47,670 | 1% below national |
| 24 | Maryland | $46,940 | 2% below national |
| 25 | Missouri | $46,750 | 3% below national |
| 26 | Oregon | $46,450 | 3% below national |
| 27 | Texas | $46,430 | 3% below national |
| 28 | Illinois | $46,370 | 3% below national |
| 29 | Florida | $46,110 | 4% below national |
| 30 | Nevada | $45,870 | 4% below national |
| 31 | Indiana | $45,820 | 5% below national |
| 32 | Ohio | $45,710 | 5% below national |
| 33 | Kentucky | $45,690 | 5% below national |
| 34 | Mississippi | $45,100 | 6% below national |
| 35 | Tennessee | $44,700 | 7% below national |
| 36 | Utah | $44,110 | 8% below national |
| 37 | South Carolina | $42,230 | 12% below national |
| 38 | Arkansas | $39,450 | 18% below national |
| 39 | Georgia | $37,440 | 22% below national |
| 40 | Kansas | $37,090 | 23% below national |
| 41 | Puerto Rico | $26,050 | 46% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 53 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $81,600 | +70% above national |
| 2 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,890 | +29% above national |
| 3 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $59,910 | +25% above national |
| 4 | Richmond, VA | $58,210 | +21% above national |
| 5 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $57,880 | +21% above national |
| 6 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $56,490 | +18% above national |
| 7 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $56,390 | +17% above national |
| 8 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $55,720 | +16% above national |
| 9 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $55,680 | +16% above national |
| 10 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,560 | +16% above national |
| 11 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $54,770 | +14% above national |
| 12 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $53,950 | +12% above national |
| 13 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,860 | +12% above national |
| 14 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $53,750 | +12% above national |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $53,380 | +11% above national |
| 16 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,820 | +10% above national |
| 17 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $51,670 | +8% above national |
| 18 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $51,230 | +7% above national |
| 19 | Winston-Salem, NC | $51,090 | +6% above national |
| 20 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $49,920 | +4% above national |
| 21 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,460 | +3% above national |
| 22 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,450 | +3% above national |
| 23 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $49,100 | +2% above national |
| 24 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,850 | +2% above national |
| 25 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,520 | +1% above national |
| 26 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,140 | same as national |
| 27 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $47,740 | 1% below national |
| 28 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $47,700 | 1% below national |
| 29 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $47,670 | 1% below national |
| 30 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $47,560 | 1% below national |
| 31 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,340 | 1% below national |
| 32 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $47,320 | 1% below national |
| 33 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $47,310 | 1% below national |
| 34 | Jackson, MS | $47,150 | 2% below national |
| 35 | Columbus, OH | $47,010 | 2% below national |
| 36 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,750 | 3% below national |
| 37 | Jacksonville, FL | $46,610 | 3% below national |
| 38 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $46,390 | 3% below national |
| 39 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,370 | 3% below national |
| 40 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $46,210 | 4% below national |
| 41 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $45,870 | 4% below national |
| 42 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $45,870 | 4% below national |
| 43 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $45,240 | 6% below national |
| 44 | Roanoke, VA | $44,920 | 6% below national |
| 45 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $44,850 | 7% below national |
| 46 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $44,360 | 8% below national |
| 47 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $44,110 | 8% below national |
| 48 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $43,070 | 10% below national |
| 49 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $38,130 | 21% below national |
| 50 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $37,440 | 22% below national |
| 51 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $37,330 | 22% below national |
| 52 | Gainesville, FL | $35,170 | 27% below national |
| 53 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $34,230 | 29% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Medical Appliance Technicians make? ▼
What state pays Medical Appliance Technicians the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Medical Appliance Technicians? ▼
How dangerous is being a Medical Appliance Technicians? ▼
Is Medical Appliance Technicians a good career? ▼
How does Medical Appliance Technicians pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Medical Appliance Technicians? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Medical Appliance Technicians pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $60,580/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Arizona leads at $72,760/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.